Aero / TT bars. Some general advice please.

zedders
Posts: 509
Hi all. Am after some general advice on Aero or TT bars, as am thinking of buying some for the first time.
The main reason I’m thinking of getting some is to put a pair on my old bike for when its hooked up to the turbo? Is this a good idea? The reason I'm thinking of this is I need to help spread my weight up front, as I get a lot of pressure/pain coming through my right shoulder (old injury/rolled a car), and logic tells me that an aero position with the weight evenly distributed through my hands, forearms, and elbows will be more comfortable than just holding a normal set of bars?
I’ve messed about with my position and have tried to replicate my current riding position to the turbo , but it just doesn’t feel right? Legs, backside, lower back etc are all ok. I just can’t get overly comfy on the bars? (Before anyone says, my current riding position when on the open road is fine – am sure it is, and I can go several hours without upsetting my shoulder).
I have searched old threads (and to be fair I can’t find a decent one on the general subject of aero bars) and I haven’t found anything that helps answer my questions. (Looked in Buying advice & RB).
So good people out there any one aware of a good thread, or any chance I can get a decent thread going on Aero bars? What I would like to know is:
What types of Aero bars are there. (I’ve seen all sorts, short, straight, some with gears on the end some without etc, etc)? It’s all very new to me. What type would be good for my purposes?
What do you use? Who generally are the best? What’s considered a comfy set for my purposes? What’s the going rate? I’ve seen £50 to £400! Etc, etc. And finally any hidden nasties I need to consider? I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
Cheers
Zedders
The main reason I’m thinking of getting some is to put a pair on my old bike for when its hooked up to the turbo? Is this a good idea? The reason I'm thinking of this is I need to help spread my weight up front, as I get a lot of pressure/pain coming through my right shoulder (old injury/rolled a car), and logic tells me that an aero position with the weight evenly distributed through my hands, forearms, and elbows will be more comfortable than just holding a normal set of bars?
I’ve messed about with my position and have tried to replicate my current riding position to the turbo , but it just doesn’t feel right? Legs, backside, lower back etc are all ok. I just can’t get overly comfy on the bars? (Before anyone says, my current riding position when on the open road is fine – am sure it is, and I can go several hours without upsetting my shoulder).
I have searched old threads (and to be fair I can’t find a decent one on the general subject of aero bars) and I haven’t found anything that helps answer my questions. (Looked in Buying advice & RB).
So good people out there any one aware of a good thread, or any chance I can get a decent thread going on Aero bars? What I would like to know is:
What types of Aero bars are there. (I’ve seen all sorts, short, straight, some with gears on the end some without etc, etc)? It’s all very new to me. What type would be good for my purposes?
What do you use? Who generally are the best? What’s considered a comfy set for my purposes? What’s the going rate? I’ve seen £50 to £400! Etc, etc. And finally any hidden nasties I need to consider? I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
Cheers
Zedders
"I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38256268@N04/3517156549/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38256268@N04/3517156549/
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Comments
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Zedders - I'm not 100% sure that aero bars will solve your problem. Even if you redistribute your weight, wouldn't you still feel pressure/ pain with aero bars?
How far have you replicated your position on your "old" bike as compared to the one you can comfortably ride on?
I'd spend more time getting the position as close as possible - saddle height / tilt, and checking the reach to the bars may help.
If the bike fit isn't right, fitting aero bars isn't necessarily going to solve the problem.0 -
ignoring the part about fit etc. The main difference between £50 and £400 bars are aerodynamics and weight (use of carbon etc) both of which will have no value on a turbo so go for the cheap pair of clipons and experiment.
You can always add more padding to the arm rests too which will allow you to put more weight down without discomfort.0 -
I've seen several clip on aero bars for under £100. Are they all compatable with normal size drop handlebars? Some seem to be all in one jobbies and others are in two pieces. Do the clips on go over the stem part ok?
Does anyone out there use aero bars on their turbo? Are as usual am I being daft? :?"I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38256268@N04/3517156549/0 -
I have used aero bars on the turbo - mainly for training sessions for TT's.
These fit onto the handlebars easily, good value and do the job well:
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=K3143
These are in two parts - each bar is attached either side of the stem - simple to set up.0 -
I have used Token extensions that just bolt to the handlebars, they cost £30, this is all you will need for a turbo bike. You do not need a aero base bar and all the gubbins, unless you are going to use that bike also for TT's
I am not sure it will help your shoulder, riding on a turbo is generally more painful than a bike ride IMO, as you are is a similar position all of the time, whereas on the road, you move your body about quite a bit.
I use them on the turbo, but then again I train in a TT position, as I mainly do TT's.0 -
SBezza wrote:I have used Token extensions that just bolt to the handlebars, they cost £30, this is all you will need for a turbo bike. You do not need a aero base bar and all the gubbins, unless you are going to use that bike also for TT's
I am not sure it will help your shoulder, riding on a turbo is generally more painful than a bike ride IMO, as you are is a similar position all of the time, whereas on the road, you move your body about quite a bit.
I use them on the turbo, but then again I train in a TT position, as I mainly do TT's.
Cheers Sbezza. I think the token extentions are just what I'm looking for actually. For £30.99 I don't think I can go wrong. And if there no good it's not like I spent mega dollars.
I know you and others are not sure it will help my shoulder, but I've convinced myself they will.
As I said I'm only going to use them on the turbo, for a 45 min blast a couple of times a week or so. And with the normal bars and can swop around and add a bit of movement to my turbo riding position."I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38256268@N04/3517156549/0 -
They will be perfect for the turbo. I even use them with my aero bars when TT ing, best £30 I have spent.0